Tension device



H. w. HITCHCOCK 2,253,522

TENSION DEVICE Filed may 5, 19:59 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A118? ,19 H. w.HITCHCOCK 2,253,522

TENSION DEVICE Filed May 5, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 tively controlling thetension applied to Patented 1 TENSION nEvIcE Harold Wood Hitchcock,Apponaug, R. I., assignor to Universal Winding Company, Boston, Mass.,

,a corporation of Massachusetts Application May 5, 1939, Serial No.272,033

10 Claims.

This application is a continuation in part of my prior applications forUnited States Letters Patent, Serial No. 224,386, flied August 11, 1938,

and Serial No. 251,816, filed January 19, 1939, now Patent No.2,207,868.

The present invention relates to improvements in devices for tensioningstrand materials such as yarn. thread and the like during their deliveryto winding machines or inother trans-fer processes.

In the following specification-and claims the term "yarn is employed ina general sense to apply to all kinds of strand materials, eithertextile or otherwisaand the designation package", is intended toindicate the product of the'wlnding machine whatever its form. a

One object oi'the invention is to provide a differential tension-deviceadapted to operate antomatically to maintain a uniiormtenslon on theyarn during the winding or other operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tension-devicecomprising opposed disks with means for regulating. the pressure on thedisks to vary the tension applied to the strand in accordance with therate of its linear travel.

Another object 'of the invention is to provide in a device of thetypeindicated'means for posithe yarn without the use of weights or otherelements liable to cause vibration or chatter oi the tension elements. v

Another object of the invention is to provide a tension-device of thetype indicated in'which the tension-members may be readily.separated forinspection and cleaning purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a tension-device of thetype indicated pressure means for normally urging the tension-membersinto cooperative relationship to act on the strand and adapted to permitmanualseparation of .the

members, said means. being automatically operable to restore thetension-members to cooperative relationship.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tension-device of simplestructure and 'arraogement adapted for economical manufacture and proofagainst derangement'and excessive wear during extended periods ofoperation.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the followingspecification which describes one preferred embodiment of the inventionand a modified form thereof as illustrated by the accompanyingdrawings.' In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a conventional type of winding machineincorporating a tension-device for applying tension to the strand ofyarn being wound and illustrating the improved controlling means forprogressively relieving the applied tension as the linear speed of theyarn increases during the winding operation;

' Fig. 2 is an enlarged part-sectional side elevation of thetension-device and the controlling means therefor, showing the positionassumed by the parts at the commencement of the winding operation;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the relationship of the partsat a later stage in the winding operation; Fig. 4 is a plan view of thetension-device and its controlling means;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the tension-device and thepressure-means therefor showing the tension-disks separated to permitinspection and cleaning;

Fig. 61s. a side view of the same with the parts shown partly insection;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the tension-device shown with amodified form of pressure means and incorporating the presentimprovement; .and

F g. 8 is an end view oi'the tension-device illustrated in Fig. '1.

Thepresent invention is concerned particularly with tension-devices forwinding machines in which the winding-spindle is rotated at a constantspeed so that during the winding of a package thereon the rate of lineartravel of the yarn progressively increases with the increase inv Icircumference of the wound mass. It is well known to those skilled inthe art that in winding on machines of this type as thewindingprogresses and the package increases in circumference the yarn must feedthereto at aprogressively accelerated rate, that is, with an increasinglinear speed and, therefore. unless controlled, the tension on therunning yarn will be augmented from this cause. It has heretofore beenproposed to provide means for gradually relieving or reducing theapplied tension on the yarn during the growth of the package and thepresent invention is distinguished from such known devices in that itprovides a positive control' of the ten sion-membersrather than throughthe use of.

adjustable weights and like unstable elements liable to vibration.

The invention is herein shown as applied to use on a winding machine ofconventional type wherein the package is wound on a positively drivenwinding-spindle and the yarn traversed 55 longitudinallythereoi by meansof a reciprocatused for controlling the operation or tension-.

devices of other types wherein the tension-elements are progressivelyseparated, one from the other, or the pressure of one against the otherrelieved during the winding or like operation.

Fig. 1 of the drawings illustrates a well-known type of winding machinecomprising a main frame 2 having upper bearings for a rotary windingspindle '3 and lower bearings for a cam-shaft d. Cylindrical or conicalpackages may be wound on the spindle 3 by traversing the yarnlongitudinally thereof through the means of a reciprocating thread-guide5 which is supported on a swinging traverse-frame 8. The threadguide 5is connected to a traverse-rod 1 slidable in grooved hearings in thetraverse-frame 6 and arranged to be reciprocated by a helical cam, notherein shown, which is rotated by the cam-shaft d. The traverse-frame 8is pivoted on the cam- 2 of the package against the thread-guide 5 whichtends to swing the traverse-frame 3 'away from the spindle 3, adiflerential pressure-device is employed. The differentialpressure-means comprises a lever s'pivoted on a stud l3 screwed into aboss on the side of a curved arm 28 which supports a tension-bracket 30,to be described later. The tension-bracket is fastened to the side ofthe frame 2 at 3|. A weight I! slidably mounted on the lever 3 isadjustable therealong to vary its operative pressure on thetraversei'rame 8. As shown in Fig. 4, the lever 3 is of bifurcated formhaving two arms with a hub l2 therebetween for pivoting it on the studI0. A U-shaped link 3 has one end hooked through alined holes in thesides 01' the lever 3 and headed over to retain it in place; while itsopbore of a sleeve 24. The sleeve 24 has a knurled head 25 and its mainportion is externally threaded to engage the interiorly-threaided boreof a hub or boss 21 formed integral with the tension-bracket 30. Thesleeve 24 may be adjusted longitudinally in the boss 21 and is held inadjusted position by means of a knurled locknut 29 screwed onto thesleeve and set up against the side of the boss. The tension-disks 2| and22 are of saucer shape, being. preferably constructed of sheet-metalwith their opposed portions having fi-at races adapted to bear againstthe strand s drawing therebetween.

The means for applying pressure to the disks 2| and 22 to force themtoward each other to adapt them to bear against the strand s may consistin a flexible diaphragm for each disk constructed from suitableresilient material such as rubber, fiber or the like. The diaphragms 35are of disk-form as shown in 3, having subto the diaphragms adjacenttheir centers to I cause them to yieldingly press against the outer rimsof the disks 2| and 22.

The tension-device illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 differs 'from thatdescribed above only in the form of the pressure means employedtherewith.

- In this case the pressure-elements are in the form of spider-likesprings 38 slidably mounted on the spindle 23 with the ends of theirradial arms bearing against the outer rims of the tension-disks 2| and22.

In either case. the dilaphragms 35, or the spring-elements 36, areforced toward each other under pressure applied thereto to-urge thetension-disks 2| and 22 toward each other to apply resistance to thepassage of the yarn drawing therebetween. As herein shown, a preferredform or construction of the pressure means comprises the spindle orplunger-rod 23 on which the tension-disks 2| and 22 are mounted andwhich is slidable in the sleeve 23. The inner diaphragm 35 has itscentral portion abutting the end of the sleeve 24, while the centralportion of theouter diaphragm 3B is engaged by awasher or other abutment31 secured to the outer extremity of the rod or spindle 23 by means of ascrew 38. It will thus be observed that when the rod or spindle 23 isslid to the left, asviewed posite bent end is hooked into one of aseries in Fig. 2, the abutment 31 will bear against the of slots I4formed in the side of a sheet-metal bracket l5 adjustably' mounted onthe weighted arm 3 of the traverse-frame 3. The lever 9 and weighted arm8 act to resist the outward swinging movement 01' the traverse-frame 3to maintain the thread-guide 3 bearing against the package being woundwith the required pressure. As the winding progresses and the traverse-!rame 6 swings in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, the lever3 is swung upwardly by means of the link l3 to relieve the pressuretending to resist the movement 01' the threadguide away trom'thewinding-spindle.

The tension-device 20 is shown and described in detail in my priorapplication, Serial No. 224,386, and is therefore referred to hereinonly briefly as related to the operation of the pressure means. Sufllceit to state that a pair of concavo-convex disks 2| and 22 are rotatablymounted on a rod or spindle 23 slidable in the adapt them to yieldinglypress against the rims of the two disks 2| and 22. As the pressure ofthe abutment 31 is increased the diaphragms will be flexed to cause themto be bowed inwardly toward each other to a slight extent.

with the form 01' tension-device shown in Figs. 7 and 8 thespring-elements 33 are flexed in the same manner to cause them to bebowed inwardly toward each other to a slight extent. The inner spring 33may be held against rotation by a screw 43 in the bracket 30 engagingthe side 01' one of the radial arms of the spring. Rotation of the outerspring 33 is prevented by an arm 3| formed integral with and extendinglaterally from the abutment or washer 39 into engagement with the sideof an arm. of the spr n The strand 8 leads upwardly from a suitablesource of supply, not herein shown, passes through -a pigtail guidesupported by the bracket 88, and across a rod. 45 forming one element ofa slub-catcher mounted at the upper end of the bracket.. From theguiding rod 48 the strand s leads across a wire-bail 41 carried by thetraverse-frame 8 and thence through a groove in the thread-guide to thepackage'being wound. I I

A bifurcated tension-lever." has a hub-portion 5| mounted on the studll, previously referred to, with arms 82 and 88 radiating therefrom andconnected at their ends by a cross-strut 84, see Fig. 4. The hub 8| isheld axially in abutting relation to the hub of the lever 8 by means ofa washer." and screw 88. The arms '82 and 58 of the lever 88 areprovided with alined holes for receiving the body-portion of anadjusting stud It. As shown inFig's. 3 and 4, the adjusting stud 88 hasan eccentric disk-like portion 80 at its forward end with its sideabutting the outer face of the arm 82 while its shankportion extendsbeyond the arm 68 with its end providedwith a threaded bore. An enlargedhead 6| formed at the outer end "of the stud 59 is slotted to receive ascrew-driver to facilitate turning the stud when adjusting the posi-,

the'pressure means ofthe. tension-device 2t.

The plunger-rod or spindle 28, previously described as slidabiy mountedin the sleeve 24 of the tension-device 20, is slotted or bifurcated atits rearward extremity, as shown at 88 in Fig. 5, to adapt it to receiveone end of a link or ex- .tension 80. A pin 8| passing through holes inthe sides of the bifurcated end of the spindle 28 also passes through alongitudinal slot 82 in the link 80 to connect the latter. therewith.

tion of its eccentric portion 88 for a purpose to be explained later. Alink 88 has'an eye or loop at one end enclosing the-end of the stud 59and held in place abutting the side of the lever-arm 53 by means of aheaded screw 86..

on a stud 12 held in the bracket I5. previously described as fastened tothe side of the traverseframe arm 8 and forming part of the differentialpressure means common to winding machines of the type hereinillustrated. The bracket 89 is provided with an arcuate slot 18 throughwhich passes a screw 14 screwed into a threaded hole in the bracket It.By loosening the screw the smaller bracket 88 may be adjusted about the,stud I2 and thereafter secured in position by tightening the .screw. Itwill beapparent that during the winding operation the swing-' ing motionof the traverse-frame 8 will rock the weighted arm 8 in a clockwisedirection-as viewed in Fig. 1, and through its connection by the linkwith the lever 50 the latter will be rocked about its pivot ID in acounterclocb wise direction.

The forward arm 52 of the lever 88 is longer than its rearward arm 88.as shown in Fig. 4,,

and is provided atitsextremity with a threaded- As shown in Figs. 4 and5, the pin 9| has a head 88 abutting the rearward side of the spindle 23while its other end is headed over to hold it fixedly in place. Theopposite end of the link 80 is pivotally connected to'a stud 88 screwedinto the end of the extension 82 of thelever 80. As shown in Fig. 4, theend of the link 80 surrounds the enlarged shank-por tion-96 of the stud98 between its head 91 and the side of the lever-extension 82 and thestud is held in place by a nut 88 screwed onto its end and abutting theopposite side of the exten- .sion. Adjacent this end of the link 80 is apin I00 riveted through a hole in the link. The pins I88 and 8| areprovided with circumferential grooves for receiving the hooked ends of arelatively stiff helical spring I02 which acts to draw the spindle 23towardthe left as viewed in Fig. 2 and normally maintains its pin 8| inengagement with the left-hand end of the slot 82 of the connecting-link80.

A preferred form of construction of the tension-controlling devicehaving. been described in detail its method of operation isexplained asfollows: To prepare the machine for winding, the strand s-of yarn or thelike is drawn .upwardly through the guide 44, threaded between thetension-disks 2| and 22, and thence ledacross the guide-rod 45 and ballH.- The strand is then passed through the slot in the threadguide I andits end attached to the tube t or other yarn-receiver mounted on thespindle 3; the traverse-frame 8 being thenmoved into position to placethe thread-guide against the coptube t. The tension-controlling device,including the levels 88 and 80, will then assume the positionsubstantially as shown in Fig. 1. The tension on the strand 3 isinitially regulated by adjusting the sleeve 24 longitudinally of the hub21 to "cause it tob'ear'against the inner diaphragm 88 to flex both'diaphragms, or springelements 28, as the case may be, to the requireddegree; Itwill be, observed that the spindle 28 and. its extension orlink 80 are held in 1011817 .tudinally-contracted or telescopedrelationship by the tension of the relatively strong spring I02 hole forreceiving the reduced-threaded end of a stud l8. Pivoted on the largershank-portion 11 of the stud 18 is a sheet-metal lever 80 provided witha longitudinal slot 8|. see F18. 3,' with an enlargement or opening 88at its end arranged with its sides embracing the periphery of theeccentric portion 80 of the adjusting stud 59. The narrower portion ofthe slot 8| renders the upper .portion of the lever 80resilient'wherewith the pin 8| engaging the left-hand end of the slot82in the link as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4. The adjustment of the sleeve24 will tend to flex the diaphragms 88; or springs 38, to bear againstthe rims of the tensionedisks 2| and 22 and thus the initial tensionapplied to the-strand s at the start ofthe winding is regulated inaccordance with requirements.

The controlling device is further adjusted to regulate the extent ofsliding movement lmpartadiust the connected end of the link 90 intoeccentric relation to the axis of the pivot-stud l0. With the lever 8dadjusted in position with the stud 98 in eccentric relation to the axisof the pivot-stud Ill the rocking movement of the levers t and 80 duringthe winding operation will cause the end of the connecting-link 90 toswing in an arc concentric 'with the axis of the stud ill in the mannerof a crank-pin; and since the pin 8i of the spindle 28 is held inengagement with the end of the slot 82 by the spring M2 the spindle willbe moved bodily toward the right to gradually relieve the pressure ofthe diaphragrns 35 against the rims of the tensiondisks2i and 22.

By the above-explained method of operation of the control-device thepressure of the two dlaphragms on the tension-disks 2i and 22 isrelieved so that the pressure of the disks on the strand s drawingtherebetween is correspondingly diminished. It will be understood thatthis reliei of the pressure on the diaphragms and the correspondingreduction in the pressure of the tension-disks on the strand is effectedgradually and continuously from start to finish of the winding of eachpackage and in direct proportion to the increase in linear speed or rateof draft of the strand as the package grows in size. In fine, as thespeed of draft, of the yarn increases due to the growing diameter of thepackage being wound the applied tension on the yarn is graduallyrelieved so that the ultimate tension remains substantially constant oruniform throughout the winding.

During the winding operation ,the weighted arm 5 acts through thelink idto swing the weighted lever-arm ii upwardly to gradually diminish theactive pressure tending to resist movement of the thread=guide 5 awayfrom the winding spindle 8. It will be noted that the arms and 58 areindependently pivoted on the common stud id and since their pivotalmovement is controlled by separate links it and 85 the rocking movementof either arm will not. aflect the movement of the other arm.

It has been explained that the pin 9! in the end of the spindle 23 isnormally held in engagernent with the left-hand end of the slot 92 inthe link so by means of the spring id: to maintain the tension-disks 2iand 22 in cooperative relationship with the diaphragms 35, or springs85, as the casemay be, flexed to the required degree. It is sometimesdesirable to open the tension-device, that is by separating the disks 2iand 22 so that their yarn-engaging'surfaces maybe inspected and cleanedof lint, specks or the like; or to clear the device ofany loose yarnthat may have become entangled around the when it is desired to separatethe er disks 22, or the abutment on the. spindle 28, and draws thevlatter outwardly or toward the right in the manner indicated in Figs. 5and 6. During this longitudinal movement of the spindle 28 its pin llwill slide in the slot 82 of the link I and extend thespring ll! untilfinal-- ly the pin brings up a ainst the right-hand end of the slot toprevent further movement of the spindle in this direction. with thedisks II and 22 separated their yarn-engaging surfaces and the spindle23 may be readily cleaned, after which the spindle a is released andpermitted to return to initial position under the action of the springI02. Return movement of the spindle 28 is limitedby the re-engagement ofits pin Furthermore, with the parts in their normal position the pin. 9!is held against the end of the slot 92 by the action of the relativelystiff spring I02 so that positive operation of the device withoutvibration is secured.

It will be observed from the foregoing that the present inventionprovides a particularly simple yet ingenious means for positively andaccurately controlling the pressure on the tension-members during thewinding of a package whereby to relieve the tension applied to the yarnas the linear speed of the latter, increases. In this way the deviceoperates automatic-ally to maintain a substantially constant and uniformtension on the yarn from startto finish of the package.

The tension-controlling device is operated directly ifrom the windingmechanism in direct proportion to the growth of the package being woundwithout the use of weights or other unstable elements liable to causevibration or chatter of the tension-elements and result in uneventension being applied to the yarn. The improved tension-controllingmeans may be quickly and accurately adjusted to effect a range of actionnecessary to properly relieve the tension during the winding or likeoperation.

As a particular feature of improvement in the present invention thetension-controlling device is so constructed that the tension-elementsmay be separated one from the other when it is desired to inspect orclean-their yarn-engaging suradapted to bear against a strand of yarn orthe like to apply resistance to its draft, resilient means for forcingsaid member against the strand, a lever, a two-part spindle actuated bysaid lever to maintain the resilient means under compression, and asecond resilient means arranged between the parts ofthe spindle topermit extension of the latter to release it from the first resilientmeans.

2. A tension-device comprising a two-part spindle, a tension-disksupported coaxially of said v spindle, resilient means acting againstthe tension-disk, means on the spindle acting against the resilientmeans to maintain the latter under compression, a lever for sliding thespindle to relieve the compression of the resilient means means foractuating said lever, and a spring be: tween the parts-of the spindleadapted to permil; manual'extension of the spindle to remove thecompression means from the resilient means.

3. A tension device comprising a slidable spindie, a pair oftension-disks mounted coaxially of said spindle to adapt them to bearagainst .a of yarn feeding ther'ebetween, resilient means acting againstsaid tension-disks to cause them to press against the strand, meanscarried by the spindle .for compressing the resilient means, a linkslidable longitudinally of the spindle, a lever for moving said link toslide the 4. A tension-device comprising a slidable spindle, a pair oftension-disks supported coaxially of said spindle, resilient meansacting'against said tension-disks to cause them to press against a yarnfeeding therebetween, an abutment on the spindle acting against theresilient means to maintain the latter under compression, an extensiontelescopically connected to the spindle, a spring acting between theextension and the spindle to maintain them normally in contractedrelationship, and means acting on the extension to slide the spindle torelieve the pressure of the abutment against the resilient means.

5. A tension-device comprising a slidable spindle, a pair oftension-disks arranged coaxially of said spindle, resilient means actingagainst the tension-disks to adapt them to press against a stranddrawing therebetween, an abutment on the spindle for maintaining theresilient means under compression, an extension slidable axially of thespindle, means to limit the sliding movement of the extension withrespect to the spindle,

' a spring for normally maintaining said spindle and extension inaxially-contracted relationship, and means acting on thespindle-extension to slide the spindle to gradually relieve the pressureof the compression means against the resilient means.

6. A tension-device comprising a slidable spindle, a pair oftension-disks arranged concentrically of said spindle, resilient meansacting against the tension-disks to cause them to press against a stranddrawing therebetween, an abutment on the spindle for maintaining theresilient means under compression, an extension slidable axially of thespindle, said extension and spindle being joined by a pin-and-slotconnection, and a spring for normally maintaining -taid spindle andextension in axially-contracted relationship with the pin at the-end ofthe slot.

7. A tension-device comprising a support, a

sleeve threadedihrough an opening in the support, a spindle slidable insaid sleeve, a pair of opposed tension-disks mounted on said spindle andhaving peripheral rims, resilient means bearing against the rims of thetension-disks, and an abutment on the spindle bearing against saidresilient means, said sleeve and abutment acting to maintain theresilient means under compression.

8. A tension-device comprising a tension-member adapted to bear againsta running yarn to cause resistance to its draft,-a two-part extensiblespindle for supporting said tension-member, resilient pressure meansacting against the tension-member, means on the spindle acting againstthe pressure means to maintain the latter under compression, one of saidspindle parts.

, being manually slidable with respect to the other part to release themeans on the spindle from the pressure means, and resilient means"acting between the spindle parts to yieldingly hold them in-contractedrelationshipto cause the means on the spindle to act on the pressuremeans.

9. A tension-device comprising a pairci tension-members adapted to bearagainst a strand of yarn or thelike feedingtherebetween, resilientpressure means acting against said tension-memaxially movable withrespect to the other part to relieve the pressure of the abutment on thepressure means, and means for yieldingly maintaining the spindle partsincontracted relationship to cause the abutment to compress the pressuremeans.

HAROLD WOOD HITCHCOCK.

